Nonprofit to donate blankets for winter

Jim Kanak

Monday

Oct 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM

WELLS — Mainers will have another source of warmth this winter as they try to absorb the high cost of heating their homes. The Wells-based nonprofit organization WarmMe plans to distribute blankets to Mainers who need financial assistance with home heating costs. The program is the brainchild of Wells developer Howard Hall.

WELLS — Mainers will have another source of warmth this winter as they try to absorb the high cost of heating their homes. The Wells-based nonprofit organization WarmME plans to distribute blankets to Mainers who need financial assistance with home heating costs. The program is the brainchild of Wells developer Howard Hall.

"Howard wanted to find a way to help people in financial need reduce their heating bills," said Gerry Mylroie, a spokesman for WarmME. "One way to do that is to provide blankets. That will help save energy."

Mylroie said WarmME is a 501-c-3 charitable organization, able to receive tax deductible donations. "100 percent of donations go to purchasing blankets," Mylroie said. "We’ll distribute them through existing state agencies, community action agencies, elder service agencies, food pantries, and so on."

To date, the program has purchased 500 blankets. Mylroie said one community action agency alone estimates there will be 1,200 requests for financial assistance to pay for higher heating costs.

WarmME has partnered with Cuddledown to help supply more blankets and spread the word about this initiative.

"The need is critical and staying warm with blankets is better than spending money on heating bills," said Chris Bradley, Chairman of Cuddledown, a Portland based manufacturer of home fashions and a corporate sponsor of the WarmME program, in a press release.

"We’re not looking for people to donate blankets," said Mylroie. "We’re looking for money. People can donate online or send a check. We’re also seeking corporate sponsors."

Hall initially donated $10,000 to start the program. "We hoped to use it to signal to corporate sponsors that their participation is welcome," Mylroie said. "As much as corporations can donate will be greatly appreciated."

In addition to soliciting donations, Mylroie said the program is happy to hear from individuals and organizations that would like to request blankets.

Individuals or corporations may donate or sponsor blankets on behalf of themselves or in memory of a loved one. Contributions may be made online at www.WarmME.org or by mailing a check, in any amount, payable to WarmME and sending it to WarmME, P.O. Box 339, Wells, Maine 04090.

People wishing to request a blanket may contact WarmME at www.WarmME.org or call 207-641-0631. All requests will be treated confidentially.

Mylroie said the program has already had an effect. "We’ve distributed 22 blankets each to (the towns of) Wells and Kennebunk," he said.

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